Gordon Damer: Yankees lineup holes plus Jets and Giants draft preview

Gordon Damer opens the WFAN podcast with a mix of baseball and NFL draft analysis, starting with a critical take on the Yankees' struggling bottom of the lineup. He argues that while the team leads the AL East, their offensive woes—particularly with Ryan McMahon’s abysmal performance—create a strategic narrative where the Yankees may be intentionally allowing poor production to set up a soft landing for Anthony Volpe’s return. McMahon, despite being a defensive asset, is deemed a below-average hitter with no track record of offensive success, and Damer dismisses calls for his trade due to his $16 million salary and lack of trade demand. He also questions Austin Wells’ offensive potential, suggesting he could be the key to fixing the Yankees' lineup depth. Moving to the NFL draft, Damer critiques the Jets for potentially drafting a quarterback in 2026 despite having Geno Smith and a weak roster, arguing it’s better to wait until 2027 for a franchise QB. He advocates for acquiring experienced backups like Mac Jones or Tanner McKee instead of relying on unproven college prospects. He praises the Jets’ draft capital but warns against poor decisions. For the Giants, he downplays Jeremiah Love as a likely pick, noting betting odds and insider signals now favor Sonny Stiles at No. 5, while also questioning the lack of movement in draft odds despite strong mock draft consensus.